Flying boats through the years

Mostly out of use today, flying boats were once mainstay of aviation

By By AUBREY COHEN

on June 7, 2013 1:32 PM

Photo: The Boeing Co.

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These days, you're most likely to see a flying boat on display at an air show, such as this PBY Catalina at the Farnborough (England) International Airshow in 2012. But they were once at the forefront of aviation and a staple of air travel and military use.

These days, you're most likely to see a flying boat on display at an air show, such as this PBY Catalina at the Farnborough (England) International Airshow in 2012. But they were once at the forefront of ... more

Photo: ADRIAN DENNIS, AFP/Getty Images

These days, you're most likely to see a flying boat on display... Photo-3177923.64116 - seattlepi.com

American aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss had more success with his Model E, which first flew in 1911. Here, Curtiss, with cap on, and Lt. Theodore Ellyson test the A-1, which was a military version and the first U.S. Navy airplane, at Lake Kenka, N.Y. less

American aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss had more success with his Model E, which first flew in 1911. Here, Curtiss, with cap on, and Lt. Theodore Ellyson test the A-1, which was a military version and the first ... more

Photo: Hulton Archive, Getty Images

American aviation pioneer Glenn Curtiss had more success with his... Photo-4753486.64116 - seattlepi.com

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Curtiss followed up with the Model H in 1914. This is an H-4.

Curtiss followed up with the Model H in 1914. This is an H-4.

Photo: Canadian Forces, Wikimedia Commons

Curtiss followed up with the Model H in 1914. This is an H-4. Photo-4753488.64116 - seattlepi.com

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The Lohner L was a reconnaissance flying boat produced in Austria and Hungary during World War I.

The Lohner L was a reconnaissance flying boat produced in Austria and Hungary during World War I.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

The Lohner L was a reconnaissance flying boat produced in Austria... Photo-4753489.64116 - seattlepi.com

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The Aeromarine 40 was a U.S. Navy flying boat that first flew in 1919.

The Aeromarine 40 was a U.S. Navy flying boat that first flew in 1919.

Photo: U.S. Naval Historical Center

The Aeromarine 40 was a U.S. Navy flying boat that first flew in... Photo-1140860.64116 - seattlepi.com

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In May 1919, this Curtiss NC-4 became the first aircraft to cross the Atlantic Ocean, hopping from New York to Lisbon, Portugal, in 19 days. Here, it flies over the coast of Florida during the historic trip.

In May 1919, this Curtiss NC-4 became the first aircraft to cross the Atlantic Ocean, hopping from New York to Lisbon, Portugal, in 19 days. Here, it flies over the coast of Florida during the historic trip.

Photo: Hulton Archive, Getty Images

In May 1919, this Curtiss NC-4 became the first aircraft to cross... Photo-4753490.64116 - seattlepi.com

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Eddie Hubbard piloted the Boeing B-1 flying boat shown here from 1920 to 1927, flying air mail on the first regularly scheduled international air mail route between Seattle and Victoria, B.C.. The plane could carry two passengers plus mail and cargo. After seven years of service without losing a single piece of mail, the B-1 was retired from air mail service in 1927. The plane now hangs on exhibit at the Museum of History & Industry in Seattle. less

Eddie Hubbard piloted the Boeing B-1 flying boat shown here from 1920 to 1927, flying air mail on the first regularly scheduled international air mail route between Seattle and Victoria, B.C.. The plane could ... more

On March 4, 1928, the Boeing Model 204 flying boat made its first flight. Boeing eventually built 10 of the four-seat aircraft. It was the last airplane Boeing built specifically for private ownership by civilians. less

On March 4, 1928, the Boeing Model 204 flying boat made its first flight. Boeing eventually built 10 of the four-seat aircraft. It was the last airplane Boeing built specifically for private ownership by ... more

Photo: The Boeing Co.

On March 4, 1928, the Boeing Model 204 flying boat made its first... Photo-2796041.64116 - seattlepi.com

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Over in England, the Short Brothers S.8 "Calcutta" first flew in 1928. It had three engines and 15 passenger seats. Here it is on the River Thames outside of Parliament, in London.

Over in England, the Short Brothers S.8 "Calcutta" first flew in 1928. It had three engines and 15 passenger seats. Here it is on the River Thames outside of Parliament, in London.

Photo: William A. Atkins, Getty Images

Over in England, the Short Brothers S.8 "Calcutta" first... Photo-4753491.64116 - seattlepi.com

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A Supermarine Southampton I flying boat takes part in the Harwich Regatta in 1928.

A Supermarine Southampton I flying boat takes part in the Harwich Regatta in 1928.

Photo: Royal Air Force Museum

A Supermarine Southampton I flying boat takes part in the Harwich... Photo-4753510.64116 - seattlepi.com

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The Douglas amphibian, which became the prototype for the Dolphin series, made its first flight in July 1930. The Dolphin was the most popular Douglas flying boat of the era. This is U.S. Army Air Corps Douglas OA-3 Dolphin. less

The Douglas amphibian, which became the prototype for the Dolphin series, made its first flight in July 1930. The Dolphin was the most popular Douglas flying boat of the era. This is U.S. Army Air Corps Douglas ... more

Photo: National Museum Of The U.S. Air Force

The Douglas amphibian, which became the prototype for the Dolphin... Photo-2899100.64116 - seattlepi.com

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The British Saunders-Roe A7 maritime patrol flying boat first flew in 1930. Here, one prepares to start a race to the Red Sea and back from Felixstowe Seaplane Station, Kent, England on Aug. 15, 1931.

The British Saunders-Roe A7 maritime patrol flying boat first flew in 1930. Here, one prepares to start a race to the Red Sea and back from Felixstowe Seaplane Station, Kent, England on Aug. 15, 1931.

After Pan American Airlines asked for a long-range, four-engine flying boat, Boeing made the Model 314, which became known as the Boeing Clipper and first flew on June 28, 1939. It featured 74 seats that converted into 40 bunks, dressing rooms, a dining salon that could be turned into a lounge and a bridal suite. This is a shot of a Pan Am Clipper, circa 1939. less

After Pan American Airlines asked for a long-range, four-engine flying boat, Boeing made the Model 314, which became known as the Boeing Clipper and first flew on June 28, 1939. It featured 74 seats that ... more

Photo: Library Of Congress

After Pan American Airlines asked for a long-range, four-engine... Photo-2788209.64116 - seattlepi.com

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The British Short "Sunderland" flying boat bomber evolved from the Empire flying boat. It first flew in 1937.

The British Short "Sunderland" flying boat bomber evolved from the Empire flying boat. It first flew in 1937.

The Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat first flew in 1935 and was a mainstay of U.S. forces during World War II. Here, one returns to its mother ship after a 12-hour patrol of the Atlantic Ocean in 1941.

The Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boat first flew in 1935 and was a mainstay of U.S. forces during World War II. Here, one returns to its mother ship after a 12-hour patrol of the Atlantic Ocean in 1941.

The U.S. Navy Martin XPB2M-1 Mars first flew as a patrol bomber prototype July 3, 1942 and was converted to a transport in December 1943. It was named Old Lady and finally beached at Alameda, Calif., in mid-1945, before being scrapped. less

The U.S. Navy Martin XPB2M-1 Mars first flew as a patrol bomber prototype July 3, 1942 and was converted to a transport in December 1943. It was named Old Lady and finally beached at Alameda, Calif., in ... more

Photo: U.S. Navy

The U.S. Navy Martin XPB2M-1 Mars first flew as a patrol bomber... Photo-4753523.64116 - seattlepi.com

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The German Blohm & Voss BV 238 was the heaviest aircraft yet when it first flew in 1944.

The German Blohm & Voss BV 238 was the heaviest aircraft yet when it first flew in 1944.

Surely the most famous, or notorious, flying boat is the Hughes H-4 Hercules, better known by its nickname, "The Spruce Goose." The H-4 was built to meet a government request in 1942 for a new cargo and troop carrier. To save metal for other wartime uses, it substituted wood -- mostly laminated birch, not spruce.

The H-4 was the largest flying boat ever built, weighing 400,000 pounds, with a length of 218 feet (12 feet longer than the stretched Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner) and a wingspan of 320 feet (60 feet more than an Airbus A380). It was designed to carry 750 fully equipped troops or two Sherman tanks. less

Surely the most famous, or notorious, flying boat is the Hughes H-4 Hercules, better known by its nickname, "The Spruce Goose." The H-4 was built to meet a government request in 1942 for a new cargo and troop ... more

Photo: Popperfoto, Popperfoto/Getty Images

Surely the most famous, or notorious, flying boat is the Hughes H-4... Photo-4236479.64116 - seattlepi.com

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By 1947, the U.S. government had spent $22 million on the H-4 and Howard Hughes had spent $18 million of his own money. It finally flew, for the first and only time, on Nov. 2, 1947. Here's Hughes at the controls for the flight. less

By 1947, the U.S. government had spent $22 million on the H-4 and Howard Hughes had spent $18 million of his own money. It finally flew, for the first and only time, on Nov. 2, 1947. Here's Hughes at the ... more

Photo: Keystone, Getty Images/Hulton Archive

By 1947, the U.S. government had spent $22 million on the H-4 and... Photo-3152111.64116 - seattlepi.com

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Hughes kept the H-4 in flight-ready condition until his death in 1976. It's now in the Evergreen Aviation Museum, in McMinnville, Ore.

Hughes kept the H-4 in flight-ready condition until his death in 1976. It's now in the Evergreen Aviation Museum, in McMinnville, Ore.

Photo: George Rose, Getty Images

Hughes kept the H-4 in flight-ready condition until his death in... Photo-4236478.64116 - seattlepi.com

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Britain's Saunders-Roe had only a little more success with its SR.45 Princess, which was the largest all-metal flying boat ever built. The British Ministry of Supply commissioned the Princess to provide nonstop service across the Atlantic for British Overseas Airways Corporation. But land-based airliners took over.

Just three Princesses were made, and only the first one flew, logging just 97 hours before it was scrapped in 1967. less

Britain's Saunders-Roe had only a little more success with its SR.45 Princess, which was the largest all-metal flying boat ever built. The British Ministry of Supply commissioned the Princess to provide nonstop ... more

Photo: Jimmy Sime, Getty Images

Britain's Saunders-Roe had only a little more success with its... Photo-4753526.64116 - seattlepi.com

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The Saunders Roe A1 was an experimental jet-powered flying boat fighter that first flew in 1947. But, similarly to the Princess, it lost out to aircraft based on land and aircraft carriers.

The Saunders Roe A1 was an experimental jet-powered flying boat fighter that first flew in 1947. But, similarly to the Princess, it lost out to aircraft based on land and aircraft carriers.